Perfect House Manager Job Description

When you sit down to write a job description for a house manager, you’re doing more than just listing tasks. You’re sketching out a portrait of the person you’ll trust to make your private residence run like a beautifully orchestrated piece of music. It’s a role that touches every corner of your life, from staff management and vendor coordination to financial admin and personal support.

Beyond the Job Title: Defining the Modern House Manager

Let’s be honest, the old image of a stern supervisor with a clipboard is a relic of the past. Forget that. The house manager I see succeed time and time again is the strategic heart of the home, essentially its Chief Operating Officer (COO). They are the calm, proactive professional who makes sure every aspect of the household runs flawlessly, often anticipating a need long before anyone else even realises it exists.

From my years in this field, I’ve learned the role is all about orchestrating a private sanctuary. It goes so far beyond ticking off a to-do list; it’s about gracefully navigating complex family dynamics, predicting unspoken needs, and creating an environment where a family can truly relax and feel secure.

The Three Pillars of Household Leadership

A house manager’s responsibilities really rest on three core pillars. If you can get these right in your job description, you’re already halfway to finding the perfect candidate.

Anticipating Needs: This isn’t just about reacting to requests. A truly great house manager sees around corners. They foresee that a favourite brand of coffee is running low before it’s gone, they plan for seasonal maintenance before the weather turns, and they have an almost intuitive grasp of a family’s rhythm.
Staff and Vendor Management: They are the single point of contact for everyone. Think of them as the team captain for the nannies, housekeepers, and chefs, and the firm-but-fair director for every external vendor. This isn’t just about scheduling; it’s about fostering a team that works with pride and efficiency.
Creating a Household Sanctuary: Ultimately, their goal is to make the home a haven of peace and order. That means managing inventories so you never run out of essentials, overseeing meticulous property maintenance, and ensuring the residence is always guest-ready at a moment’s notice.

The infographic below really brings this to life, showing how these core functions all branch out from the house manager’s central position as the home’s COO.

This visual makes it clear that the job isn’t just about logistics. It’s deeply relational and demands a unique blend of organisational prowess and emotional intelligence.

To simplify these core areas, the table below breaks down the key responsibilities you’ll find in a typical house manager role.

House Manager Key Responsibilities at a Glance

Responsibility Area	Core Duties and Objectives
Household Operations & Maintenance	Overseeing daily routines, ensuring property upkeep, managing security systems, and handling preventative maintenance schedules for all systems and appliances.
Staff Management & Leadership	Recruiting, training, and scheduling all domestic staff (housekeepers, nannies, chefs). Conducting performance reviews and fostering a cohesive, professional team.
Financial Administration	Managing household budgets, processing invoices, handling payroll for staff, and preparing financial reports for the principals.
Vendor & Contractor Coordination	Sourcing, vetting, and managing all external contractors and service providers. Negotiating contracts and ensuring work is completed to the highest standard.
Inventory & Asset Management	Keeping detailed inventories of household supplies, fine art, wine collections, and other valuable assets. Managing procurement and restocking.
Event Planning & Execution	Organising and overseeing everything from intimate family dinners to large-scale social events, coordinating all logistics from catering to guest services.
Personal Assistance & Support	Assisting the principals with personal scheduling, travel arrangements, managing appointments, and handling special requests with absolute discretion.

As you can see, the role is incredibly varied, requiring a professional who can switch hats from HR manager to project lead to personal confidant in a single day.

More Than a Manager: A Trusted Partner

The shift from simply performing duties to building a genuine partnership is what makes a house manager truly indispensable. When you hire for this position, you aren’t just filling a vacancy; you’re searching for the individual who will become the linchpin of your family’s life, bringing an unmatched sense of reliability and peace of mind.

A truly great house manager doesn’t just manage a house; they cultivate a home. Their work allows the principals to focus on what matters most to them, secure in the knowledge that everything behind the scenes is handled with precision and care.

Whether you’re defining this role for your own property or you aspire to become a house manager yourself, understanding its sophisticated nature is vital. For more insight into what it takes to find these key professionals, you can learn more about our specialised recruitment for house and estate managers in the UK. This will give you a real appreciation for the calibre of candidate needed for such a demanding and rewarding position.

Core Duties for Your Job Description

Trying to list out all the moving parts of a modern household for a job description can feel overwhelming. The key isn’t to create an endless to-do list, but to group responsibilities into key areas of oversight. This way, you clearly communicate the scope of the role and attract candidates who won’t be intimidated by the scale.

Think of these duties as the main pillars holding up your house manager job description. Each one is a core function that keeps your home running like clockwork.

Staff Leadership and Development

From my experience, this is where a house manager truly earns their stripes. They are the central hub, responsible for building a team that is professional, cohesive, and genuinely motivated. This is so much more than just telling people what to do; it’s about cultivating a healthy and productive atmosphere where people feel valued.

A great house manager doesn’t just draft a weekly rota. They conduct thoughtful performance reviews, mediate staff disagreements with grace, and oversee the hiring and training of new team members, ensuring everyone understands the household’s unique standards and culture.

Key duties in this area often include:

Recruitment and Onboarding: Finding, interviewing, and properly training all new household staff.
Scheduling and Payroll: Creating rotas, managing holidays, and ensuring payroll is processed correctly and on time.
Performance Management: Holding regular performance reviews and offering constructive feedback to help staff develop their skills.
Team Cohesion: Building a positive, collaborative environment where everyone works well together.

Property and Vendor Management

The house manager is, in essence, the guardian of the property. They’re responsible for its maintenance, security, and general upkeep, making sure the home is always pristine and that everything works as it should. This demands a proactive mindset, not a reactive one.

They’ll have a little black book filled with trusted specialists—from gardeners and security firms to art restorers and AV technicians. If the smart home system glitches, for instance, the house manager is the one who calmly gets the tech support company on the line, supervises the repair, and makes sure the family is disturbed as little as possible.

The essence of great property management is foresight. It’s about scheduling the boiler service before it breaks in winter and noticing a loose slate on the roof before it becomes a leak. This proactive oversight is a hallmark of an exceptional house manager.

Financial Oversight and Administration

Running the finances for a large household demands meticulous attention to detail and unwavering integrity. The house manager often takes on the role of financial administrator, overseeing budgets, tracking expenses, and providing clear, concise reports to the principals. I’ve seen this range from managing petty cash for daily errands to overseeing a multi-million-pound renovation budget.

They’ll be tasked with processing invoices, reconciling credit card statements, and preparing detailed monthly or quarterly expense reports to give the principals a transparent overview of household spending.

A house manager’s duties can be extensive, sometimes involving major logistical projects. When writing your job description, you might include things like managing house moves, where a detailed residential moving checklist can be an invaluable resource.

Personal Service and Lifestyle Support

Beyond the nuts and bolts, a brilliant house manager provides an incredibly high level of personal support to the family. They anticipate needs to make life smoother, easier, and more enjoyable. This is where the role becomes truly personal, built on a deep foundation of trust and understanding.

The tasks here can be incredibly diverse. One day might be spent booking a private jet and coordinating a complex international travel itinerary; the next could be all about organising a child’s birthday party or simply making sure the family’s favourite foods are always in the fridge.

Examples of personal service duties include:

Event Planning: Organising everything from intimate family dinners to large-scale parties, managing all the vendors from caterers to florists.
Travel Coordination: Arranging every element of the family’s travel, including transport, accommodation, and finely detailed itineraries.
Inventory Management: Keeping meticulous records of valuable assets, such as a fine wine cellar, an art collection, or a couture wardrobe.
Special Requests: Discretely and efficiently handling any unique or ad-hoc requests that come their way.

By grouping duties into these four core categories—Staff, Property, Financial, and Personal Service—your job description becomes a much more powerful tool. It goes from being a simple list to a clear blueprint for the professional who will become the trusted operational heart of your home.

The Skills That Define an Exceptional House Manager

Knowing the duties of a house manager is one thing. But truly understanding the skills that separate a competent professional from an exceptional one? That’s where the magic happens, and it’s the key to writing a job description that attracts the very best.

Top-tier candidates bring more than just a CV; they possess a rare blend of technical know-how and deeply personal traits. It’s this combination that allows them to not only manage the practical side of a household but also to navigate the delicate human dynamics within it.

Think of it like a world-class orchestra. The technical abilities, or hard skills, are the instruments and the sheet music. But the soft skills? They’re the conductor, bringing nuance and harmony, turning a simple melody into a masterpiece.

The Hard Skills: The Engine Room of the Household

Hard skills are the tangible, teachable abilities that empower a house manager to run the home with precision. These are the practical tools they rely on to maintain order and keep complex operations ticking along smoothly.

Financial Acumen: This is so much more than simple bookkeeping. An elite house manager is comfortable with budget management software, can produce detailed expense reports, and has solid experience managing payroll. They handle the household’s finances with the rigour of a corporate accountant.
Technological Proficiency: Modern luxury homes are often smart-tech hubs. A top house manager must be adept at operating integrated systems for security, lighting, and climate control, acting as the first point of contact for troubleshooting.
Project Management: Whether it’s overseeing a renovation, planning a large event, or coordinating a cross-country move, a house manager needs serious project management skills. This means vetting vendors, managing timelines, and ensuring every detail is executed flawlessly.

The Soft Skills: The Foundation of Trust and Calm

While hard skills get the job done, it’s the soft skills that truly define a world-class house manager. These interpersonal qualities are harder to quantify but are immediately felt in the atmosphere of the home. They are the very bedrock of trust and reliability.

Unflappable discretion isn’t just a skill; it’s a code of conduct. For an exceptional house manager, confidentiality is as natural as breathing. They understand that they are stewards of a family’s privacy, and this trust is their most valuable asset.

The most critical soft skills to look for are:

Absolute Discretion: The ability to handle sensitive family information with complete confidentiality is non-negotiable. This person will be privy to the inner workings of the family’s life, and their integrity must be beyond reproach.
Emotional Intelligence: A truly great house manager can read a room, anticipate moods, and communicate with empathy. This allows them to manage staff effectively and interact with the principals in a supportive, respectful, and unobtrusive way.
Proactive Problem-Solving: The best don’t wait for problems. They anticipate potential issues and put solutions in place before anyone else even knows there was a risk. This foresight creates a truly seamless, stress-free home.

A Quick Story of Foresight in Action

Let me tell you about a house manager named Arthur, who worked for a family with a magnificent country estate. One autumn, while reviewing the maintenance schedule, he noticed the estate’s private lane was bordered by several ancient oak trees. Though not explicitly on his task list, he had a nagging feeling about an upcoming storm predicted to bring unusually high winds.

Instead of shrugging it off, Arthur proactively hired a certified arborist for an urgent inspection. The arborist discovered that one of the largest oaks had a severe, hidden weakness and was at high risk of falling directly across the only access road. Within 48 hours, the tree was safely removed.

Two days later, the storm hit with ferocious force, toppling trees across the region. The family, returning from an overseas trip, was able to drive home without issue, completely unaware of the crisis Arthur had quietly averted. He didn’t seek praise; for him, it was simply part of the job.

This is the tangible peace of mind an exceptional house manager delivers. They don’t just manage tasks; they manage risk, anticipate challenges, and protect the family’s sanctuary through quiet, unwavering foresight. When you write your house manager job description, remember you are searching not just for an employee, but for this unique blend of practical skill and profound reliability.

Getting the Salary Right for a House Manager

Nailing the salary is one of the most critical parts of creating an effective house manager job description. It’s more than just a number; it’s a clear signal of how much you value the role and the peace of mind it brings. Get it wrong, and you’ll struggle to attract the best people. Get it right, and you’ll draw in dedicated professionals ready to make your household run beautifully.

In the UK, there’s no single, fixed salary. It’s more of a sliding scale, shaped by a mix of factors that reflect the complexity of the job. I always advise clients to think of it less like a standard salary and more like a bespoke package, designed for a very specific set of circumstances.

What Shapes the Pay Packet?

To offer a competitive salary, you need to understand the variables. The biggest influences are almost always the property’s location, whether the role is live-in or live-out, and the sheer scale of responsibility the house manager will take on.

Geography plays a huge part. For instance, a house manager role in the UK can command a salary ranging from around £30,000 for a more junior position to over £117,000 in affluent areas like Brentwood. Across the country, you’ll often see salaries falling somewhere between £37,000 and £47,000, but roles in London will naturally sit at the higher end of that spectrum. It’s always a good idea to explore more detailed salary data for house managers to get a feel for the going rate in your specific area.

The Live-In vs. Live-Out Difference

Deciding whether you need a live-in or live-out manager is a big decision that fundamentally changes the compensation package. A live-in arrangement, where accommodation is part of the deal, usually has a different salary structure. The base pay might be adjusted to account for housing, but the overall value of the package is often much higher.

A live-in role isn’t just about providing a room; it’s about securing an individual who offers enhanced security, greater flexibility, and a deeper integration into the household’s rhythm. This level of commitment is always reflected in the total compensation package.

On the other hand, live-out positions typically come with a higher gross salary to cover living and commuting costs. When you write the job description, be crystal clear about the arrangement and how it’s reflected in the pay – it’s crucial for attracting the right sort of applicants from the start.

How the Scale of the Property Changes Everything

The size of the estate and the complexity of its operations are direct drivers of a house manager’s salary. It’s simple, really: a larger, more intricate property requires a higher level of skill and experience, which in turn justifies a bigger pay packet.

Here’s what I tell families to think about:

One Home or a Whole Portfolio? Managing a single large residence is a big job. But overseeing multiple properties, especially if they’re in different countries, transforms the role into a high-level executive position. That demands incredible logistical talent and, of course, a top-tier salary.
How Big is the Team? A house manager looking after a couple of staff members has a very different job to one managing a team of twenty. The more people they lead, the greater their leadership skills must be, and the higher the pay.
Any Specialist Demands? If the household has unique features, like a valuable art collection, stables, or even a private aircraft, you’ll need a manager with proven experience in that specific area. This kind of specialised knowledge always comes at a premium.

Tailoring a Job Description for UHNW Households

When you’re hiring for an ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) household, the game changes entirely. This isn’t about filling a role; it’s about finding a C-suite professional to act as a trusted partner, managing the intricate machinery of a private family’s life. The job description has to reflect that elevated reality.

A standard job description lists tasks. For a UHNW family, it needs to be an invitation for an exceptional individual to step into a high-stakes, high-trust environment. It’s about finding someone who not only has the skills but truly understands the unique culture of privacy, security, and uncompromising standards that define this world.

The language you use is everything. I always advise shifting the focus from a list of duties to the outcomes you expect. Instead of just “Manage household staff,” try “Lead and mentor a diverse domestic team to uphold five-star standards of service and ensure seamless daily operations.” It reframes the position from a manager to a true leader.

A sleek, modern private jet cabin, indicating the level of logistical complexity in UHNW households.

Highlighting the Non-Negotiables

For UHNW principals, certain traits aren’t just ‘nice-to-haves’—they are absolute deal-breakers. Your job description must spell these out to filter out the wrong candidates from the start.

Ironclad Discretion: This is the bedrock of the role. Emphasise the need for unwavering confidentiality and proven experience working under strict non-disclosure agreements (NDAs). Candidates need a flawless track record of protecting client privacy.
Advanced Security Consciousness: High-profile families face unique security risks. The house manager must be adept at liaising with private security teams, managing sophisticated alarm systems, and upholding rigorous access protocols.
Complex Logistical Expertise: The role often extends to managing intricate international travel, coordinating private jet schedules, and overseeing the movement of valuable assets across borders. Make it clear you need someone with specific, demonstrable experience here.

Framing the Role as a Strategic Partnership

The very best UHNW house managers are strategic thinkers who operate with a great deal of autonomy. They don’t just wait for instructions; they anticipate needs and solve problems before the principal even knows they exist.

In the world of private service for UHNW families, the house manager is less of a domestic employee and more of an executive personal officer. They are the single point of accountability who ensures the principal’s life is frictionless, secure, and perfectly organised.

This level of responsibility naturally commands a commensurate level of trust and compensation. In the UK, top-tier house managers serving UHNW families are at the pinnacle of their profession, often managing complex estates and earning salaries well over £50,000 a year. The expectation is that they operate with the foresight and precision of a chief operating officer for the home.

Differentiating from an Estate Manager

It’s also crucial to draw a clear line between this role and that of an estate manager. A house manager typically runs the operations of a single primary residence. An estate manager, on the other hand, usually has a much broader remit, overseeing multiple properties, expansive grounds, and even the house managers themselves. For a more detailed look at this, our guide on the estate manager job description offers a direct comparison.

By carefully crafting your job description with this level of detail, you send a clear signal. You’re not just looking for staff; you’re seeking a true professional—a dedicated and discreet partner capable of handling the exceptional demands of a UHNW household with grace and precision.

Common Questions About the House Manager Role

Navigating the world of private household management throws up a lot of questions, whether you’re a family thinking of hiring or a professional looking at this as a career. The lines can get blurry between roles, the logistics can be confusing, and knowing what to look for in a candidate is absolutely critical.

Let’s clear up some of the most common queries I hear. Getting these details right helps build a complete picture of what a truly effective house manager job description should look like.

House Manager vs Estate Manager vs Butler

People often use these titles interchangeably, but they are very different jobs. Getting this right from the start is the key to writing an accurate job description that attracts the right calibre of professional.

Butler: Think of a butler’s world as revolving around direct, hands-on personal service. It’s about formal table service, looking after guests, and managing the family’s day-to-day personal needs. It’s all about that personal touch.
House Manager: This is the Chief Operating Officer of a single, large home. Their focus is operational: managing staff, overseeing budgets, scheduling vendors, and making sure the entire property runs like a well-oiled machine.
Estate Manager: This role is a step up in scale. An Estate Manager oversees multiple properties, vast grounds, or a complex portfolio. They are the ones who often manage the individual House Managers at each residence.

The real difference comes down to scale and focus. A butler provides personal service, a house manager runs one home, and an estate manager oversees a whole portfolio of properties and assets. Your job description has to be crystal clear about which one you need.

Live-In or Live-Out Arrangements

Deciding whether you need someone on-site is a big decision, and it really hinges on your family’s lifestyle. There’s no single right answer.

A live-in position is often perfect for families needing round-the-clock oversight, better security, or the flexibility to handle last-minute issues. This is especially common for large country estates. In the UK, demand for top-tier live-in staff is strong, with packages for skilled professionals often starting from £65,000 per year.

On the other hand, a live-out role can work beautifully if the principals travel a lot or simply value more privacy. If you advertise a live-out position, you must be explicit in the job description about any on-call expectations or the need for flexibility outside normal hours.

Identifying Red Flags When Hiring

The entire process of hiring a house manager is built on trust. Finding someone with the right skills is one thing, but spotting potential red flags that could compromise your family’s privacy and security is even more important.

Here are the warning signs I always look for during interviews:

Unverifiable References: Solid, glowing references are non-negotiable. Any hesitation or inability to provide them is a massive concern.
A History of Short Stays: While there can be legitimate reasons, a pattern of job-hopping without a good explanation could point to commitment or performance issues.
Poor Communication: The interview is a test run. If a candidate communicates poorly, seems disorganised, or gets flustered, it’s a clue to how they might handle real pressure on the job.
Any Breach of Discretion: This is the big one. If a candidate starts sharing overly personal details about past employers, that’s an immediate sign they can’t be trusted. Confidentiality is the absolute bedrock of this profession.

The best people for this role show high emotional intelligence, stay calm under pressure, and prove they can act with total discretion. Finding that perfect fit often takes expert help. For those wanting to connect with vetted candidates, working with dedicated household staff recruitment agencies gives you access to a pool of pre-screened, high-calibre professionals, which saves a huge amount of time and offers real peace of mind.

Ultimately, the goal is to find someone who not only has the skills but also fits perfectly with your household’s unique culture and values.

Finding the right house manager transforms a residence into a seamlessly run sanctuary. At Superstar Nannies, we specialise in sourcing and placing elite household professionals who meet the highest standards of skill, discretion, and integrity for discerning families worldwide. Discover how our bespoke recruitment process can bring harmony and peace of mind to your home.